17 JAN 2024
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Event news

Expert Workshop on the 2023 Update of the European Validation Inventory

More than 120 experts on validation of non-formal and informal learning participated in a webinar organised to validate and discuss preliminary results of the 2023 Update of the European Inventory on validation ahead of its publication in Cedefop's web portal. 

The expert workshop gathered over 120 experts on validation to discuss main preliminary results of the 2023 update of the European Inventory on validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL). The inventory presents a comprehensive overview of Europe's validation landscape, covering 32 systems in EU-27 Member States and EFTA countries. The webinar focused on discussing the trends reported and what findings can be considered more challenging and most relevant for policy making in the EU. Input from the webinar will be used to finalised the overview report of the inventory. 

Agenda and questions for discussion

Time (in CET) Item Description
9:30 to 10:00 Participant onboarding – participants can join any time during the 30 minutes preceding the workshop's start
10:00 to 10:10

Welcome and Opening - Information on the purpose of the Expert Workshop and of the European Inventory on the validation of non-formal and informal learning
10:10 to 10:30 Plenary presentation of the study findings - Presentation: Main trends in validation since the 2018 update of the European Inventory 
10:30 to 11:00 Plenary discussion
Questions for discussion
  • To what extent do the trends reported resonate with your experience and knowledge of validation? 
  • Are there any findings that you consider need challenging?
  • What important developments and trends have you not seen discussed but you think are crucial to guide policymaking in this area? 
  • Are there lessons learnt and evidence that you are aware that should make us weary or supportive of any of the trends that we have discussed?
11:00 to 11:10 Break
11:10 to 12:10 Breakout sessions
Topic 1: Validation in national skills strategies (NSS) (trends in government policies, incl. general outreach and outreach to vulnerable groups)
Presentation followed by questions for discussion.
  • What needs to be done at national level to overcome these (and other) challenges and obstacles in order to develop sustainable NSS with validation as an integrated element?
  • What are the key ingredients for successful outreach measures related to validation addressing vulnerable groups?
  • How can the development of a sustainable NSS with validation as an integrated element be best supported by the European level?
Topic 2: Validation in the changing world of work (digitalisation of work, micro-credentials, in-company validation, and initiatives relating to the green transition)
Presentation followed by questions for discussion. 
  • What measures can be taken to ensure that validation processes keep pace with technological advancements?
  • How can validation systems effectively recognise and incorporate micro-credentials into the broader framework of skills validation?
  • In the context of in-company validation, what role do you believe employers play in shaping validation processes, and how can they foster a culture of continuous learning and skill validation within their workforce?
12:10 to 12:20 Break
12:20 to 12:40 Feedback from the two parallel workshop sessions
Facilitators share and collect key messages from the parallel workshops
 
12:40 to 13:00 Reflections on the way forward
Summary of key points and concluding remarks on the likely evolution of validation and future policy actions to consider.
Questions for discussion:
  • What are the future implications, for policy and practice, of the findings discussed?
  • What do you think are the most important data needs to improve the offer of validation going forward?